Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Rachelle Mae, R.N.

“REMOVE the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice; and let the oppressed go free…” –Isaiah 58:6

She studied nursing like the others who want to work abroad, seek greener pastures and heal foreign patients—-and she excelled।

But she ended up in the mountains and forests of Dauin, Negros Oriental to be with the ordinary folks, the farm workers and peasants, and learn from them।

Rachelle Mae Palang R।N., 22, who died on Oct. 18, 2008, was outstanding in her chosen field in the academe, activism and revolution.

Her death added new meaning to what nursing care should be।

Her death debunked the myth that Filipino nurses are only for overseas work, that Filipino nurses are only for hospitals, and that Filipino nurses are only good in nursing foreign client

Rachelle died right in the heart of a revolution, right in the heart of her motherland, caring for and helping the sick––the victims of class oppression and exploitation in our cancerous society.

It was truly inspiring

As an alumnus of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), I met Rachelle almost four years ago when I was invited by the Vital Signs (official student publication of Velez College) to interview applicants for members of the editorial board।

Since then we met often, conversed on various issues, from academic life, love and relationships, and activism and revolution।

I last saw her on May 10, 2008 during the nuptial of our fellow activists।

Sadder but wiser, we always learn lessons, appreciate life and progress as we move along।

Rachelle’s death is proof that adherence to and actual participation in the national democratic cause will continue to inspire the youth and students।

This is particularly true for intellectuals like her, who frequently ask questions on issues affecting the lives of millions of people।

That has been the case since the late ‘60s with the likes of Lorena Barros, Emman Lacaba, Arnulfo Ortiz and MarvinMarquez, to name a few।

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About Me

“What can I tell you of my past, gentleman (he is saying) I was born in a land where the idea of freedom, the notion of right, the habit of human kindness were things coldly despised and brutally outlawed. Now and then, in the course of history, a hypocrite government would paint the walls of the nation’s prison a comelier shade of yellow and loudly proclaim the granting of rights familiar with happier states; but either these rights were solely enjoyed by the jailers or else they contained some secret flaw which made them even more bitter than the decrees of frank tyranny…Every man in the land was a slave, if he was not a bully; since the soul and everything pertaining to it were denied to man, the infliction of physical pain came to be considered as sufficient to govern and guide human nature…From time to time a thing called revolution would occur…”
I could have dreamed of writing it, but I can’t, Vladimir Nabokov did in his book, The Real Life of Sebastian Knight.

Chop suey(Chinese:pinyin:zásuì; literally "assorted pieces") is aChinese dishconsisting of meats (often chicken, fish, beef, shrimp or pork) and eggs, cooked quickly with vegetables such asbean sprouts,cabbage, andceleryand bound in a starch-thickened sauce. It is typically served with rice but can become the Chinese-American form ofchow meinwith the addition of stir-fried noodles.

Like “binignit” usually eaten during Holy Week and best served when hot, I hope to make your stay in my site holy and hot. Hope you also experience the “taste” of vegetable “chop suey” and may your taste stands out — like mine.